The high school service organization known as the Interact Club prides itself on service to others through the Rotary International motto of “Service Above Self.” One of the club’s recent projects was Pennies for Patients.
”Pennies for Patients” is a foundation that helps kids fight leukemia and lymphoma,” said Lena Zhu, Interact member. “The Interact Club raised money through the generosity of the students at North Plainfield High School. Through their kindness, the money will help to raise awareness and may even help cancer, leukemia, or lymphoma patients live a better life.”
“With Interact Club’s leadership, we raised and donated money to benefit these cancer patients. Club members helped with the banners to raise awareness and attention for Pennies for Patients. Interact members collected any change that was given to us, from coins to bills. The project is ongoing; our goal is $500. We believe that our contributions to this foundation will help at least one person and will increase kindness and generosity in the community.”
The Interact Club is active in other ways, also. They recently sponsored a blood drive with the American Red Cross, collecting seventy-nine pints of blood, enough to help 237 people in need. This is an annual club activity, one that has helped over a thousand people so far.
Club members also support the Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield, their sponsoring club, by working with Rotarians at Rutgers basketball games. “We work two concession stands at eighteen basketball games this season,” said Ravenell Williams IV, Rotary president. Money raised through this activity helps fund the Rotary club’s scholarship program.
More information about the Interact Club can be found at the Rotary Club’s website at www.rotarypnp.org.
The Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield welcomes new members who have an interest in serving others while developing new friendships. The club meets Wednesdays at 12:15 PM in Giovanna’s Restaurant, 1462 South Avenue, Plainfield. Come as a guest and see what Rotary is all about.
(above) North Plainfield Interact Club members pose for a group photo at the Rutgers Athletic Center before working the concessions stands at a recent basketball game.
(above) North Plainfield High School Interact Club members display one of the banners that they created to raise awareness for the Pennies for Patients project.
